Jun Hyun-moo, host of the new audition series “The Ballad of Us,” shared why his energy never seems to dip―even while juggling a packed slate of shows.
Appearing at a press conference Tuesday morning at SBS headquarters in Mok-dong, Seoul, Jun said he’ll helm the series and also serve on its “Top Ears” delegation, a group of lead panelists guiding the competition.
“I’m basically the guy who’s hosted almost every audition program in Korea―minus ‘Superstar K’ and ‘Sing Again,’” he joked, ticking off credits like “K-pop Star,” “Hidden Singer,” “Phantom Singer,” “Super Band” and “The Magic Star.” This time, he’s steering an audition focused squarely on the ballads that shaped a generation.
Beyond competition shows, Jun appears across the variety landscape on hits like “I Live Alone,” “Point of Omniscient Interfere,” “Special Reporter 25hr,” and “Boss in the Mirror.” Asked what keeps him going, he quipped, “I don’t really have a personal life. What else would I do if I took a break? TV fills my life.” He added with a laugh, “Broadcasting even conjures up dating rumors and puts me in a trance. I’m happy living in that surreal space where it’s hard to tell what’s a bit and what’s real.”
Jun also spotlighted what makes audition series addictive for him. “Even if a performance isn’t perfect, I get hooked on that look in contestants’ eyes―the hunger that reminds you of your own beginnings,” he said. “Watching these dreamers―average age 18.2―sprint toward their goals pulls me out of any rut and makes me root for them.”
“When I’m home alone, what would I even do?” he added. “Broadcasting doesn’t stress me out; it actually gives me energy. That’s really the engine for me.”
“The Ballad of Us” is a music audition program that revisits the ballads woven through our memories and hunts for the fresh voices of 2025 to reinterpret those songs. A 150-member “Top Ears” audience panel will scout for hidden gems as the contestants―average age 18.2―take the stage. The “Top Ears” delegation features Jung Jae-hyung, Cha Tae-hyun, Choo Sung-hoon, Jun Hyun-moo, Park Kyung-lim, Danny Koo, Crush, Jung Seung-hwan and OH MY GIRL’s MIMI.
“There aren’t many shows the whole family watches together anymore,” Jun said. “With ‘The Ballad of Us’―classic songs sung by 18-year-olds―you can. We’re proud it’s for everyone.” He noted the supersized premiere runs 2 hours and 40 minutes. “Just leave it on like background music at home―dip in and out, and enjoy. Consider it the BGM of your living room.”
“The Ballad of Us” premieres tonight (Sept. 23) at 9 p.m. KST with a special expanded 160-minute episode.
[Photo: Baik Seung-chul]
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)